Rail Industry News
Solving big safety problems with big data: FRA RISE
Despite tremendous progress in railroad safety over the past 40 years, some statistical measures of safety performance indicate that we have reached a plateau.
City of Houston, Harris County to sue UP over toxic contamination in Fifth Ward
The city of Houston, along with Harris County Attorney Christian D Menefee, on Tuesday, announced their intentions to file a lawsuit against Union Pacific alleging “long-standing contamination” in the city’s Fifth Ward.
STB directs UP to continue operating under emergency service order
The Surface Transportation Board has directed Union Pacific to continue providing priority service and reports on that service for a California feed and poultry company under an emergency order issued in June.
Letters citing freight rail service crisis continue to circulate at STB
This week, more than 50 Democratic and Republican members of Congress asked the STB to address the problems, particularly those disrupting U.S. food production.
Analysis: Big 4 revised STB service recovery plans
The four largest U.S. freight railroad companies—BNSF, CSX, Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific—all reported, per the request of the Surface Transportation Board, supplemental information about their efforts to improve service and network fluidity.
Will rail service improve in 2nd half of 2022?
The second half of 2022 is underway, and freight rail stakeholders will be watching over the next several weeks and months how the railroads untangle service issues that seemed to be persisting through June.
CN, NS seek conditions on CP-KCS merger
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on July 1 accepted for consideration responsive applications by CN and Norfolk Southern (NS) regarding the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger.
Illinois lawmakers wary of CP-KCS merger
Federal lawmakers have stayed on the sidelines regarding the regional impact of a white-hot proposal to combine two major freight railroads, but that’s changing.
IBEW ends strike action at CN
The Canadian National Railway and the union representing 750 of its signal and communication workers have agreed to enter binding arbitration, bringing an end to a two-week strike.
Amtrak and BNSF sue owner of dump truck company, widow of truck driver sues BNSF over Southwest Chief accident
Amtrak and BNSF Railway have filed suit the company that owns the dump truck involved in Monday’s fatal collision and derailment of the Southwest Chief — and the widow of the truck driver has sued a BNSF employee and the county where the accident occurred.
AFL-CIO’s TTD urges senators to revise common carrier obligation, give STB more power to deal with rail service issues
The leader of a federation of rail and other unions has written a group of U.S. senators asking that Congress give the Surface Transportation Board more power to enforce railroads’ common-carrier obligations as a way to address ongoing service issues.
AAR reports rail traffic for the week ending June 25, 2022
For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 493,374 carloads and intermodal units, down 4.4 percent compared with the same week last year.
Teamster campaign pays off to uphold misclassification law protecting drivers
The U.S. Supreme Court today declined to take a case seeking to overturn a California law on worker misclassification, and by doing so expanded employment protections to California truck drivers currently misclassified as independent contractors.
Virginia moves forward on New River Valley rail plan
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) and Norfolk Southern (NS) on June 30 announced the financial closing of a deal that will expand commonwealth-supported Amtrak service from Washington, D.C., to Roanoke and to the New River Valley.
VRE to contribute millions to advance passenger rail expansion
The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) will contribute $119.2 million to support Virginia’s purchase of rail right-of-way in the Interstate 95 corridor from CSX.
Victory for California high-speed rail as state budget is approved
The state can now move forward purchasing trains, building tracks, and fully electrifying over 100 miles of right of way.
RRB Q&A: Medicare for railroad families
The following questions and answers provide railroad workers with basic information on Medicare eligibility and coverage, as well as other information on the Medicare program.
Rail traffic down for 18th week in a row
For the week ending June 25, 2022 (Week 25), U.S. rail traffic was 493,374 carloads and intermodal units, down 4.4% from the prior-year period.
Is the perfect storm brewing for railroad and port logistics failures?
Rail and port workers in the U.S. and Canada are in the midst of contract negotiations, and a failure to come to an agreement could be a disaster for West Coast ports and railroads.
NTSB investigation of Amtrak Southwest Chief derailment under way
The NTSB reported that the train was traveling at 89 mph “when the horn blew, which was a quarter-mile out from the crossing,” and at 87 mph at the time of impact. The area speed limit: 90 mph.
BLET News
BLET to host virtual training for LM-2 filers
The BLET Education and Training Department will conduct a workshop for all Secretary-Treasurers who file LM-2 reports for their General Committee of Adjustment (GCA), Division or State Legislative Board. This workshop will be held virtually on March 16, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cadogan reelected Chairman of Massachusetts SLB
Daniel M. Cadogan was reelected by acclamation to his second term as Chairman of the Massachusetts State Legislative Board (MASLB) at its 7th quadrennial meeting on October 31, 2020.
Ballots mailed in tentative BLET, Illinois & Midland agreement
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) has reached a tentative agreement with the Illinois & Midland Railroad. Ballots were mailed today to active members of the BLET employed by Illinois & Midland who are eligible to vote in the ratification of this tentative agreement.
Ninth Circuit Ruling Favors Unions and States, Rejects FRA’s Attempt to Preempt State Crew Laws
Two of the country’s largest freight railroad unions achieved a favorable decision in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday regarding an attempt by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to preempt legislation passed by a number of states that established a minimum of two-person operating crews on freight trains.
FRA grants unions’ request for longer-term extension to file certification petitions
In response to a series of joint petitions by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on February 11 granted a longer-term waiver, providing a 60-day extension to time limits in which certain petitions for review must be filed with the Operating Crew Review Board (OCRB). Previously, the unions had secured a series of waivers, which date back to April 7, 2020.
Canadian Pacific looking to hire certified conductors
The Canadian Pacific Railway/DM&E is looking to hire certified conductors to work out of: Mason City, Iowa; Marquette, Iowa; Davenport, Iowa; Ottumwa, Iowa; Savanna, Ill.; and Kansas City, Mo.
Reminder: Hoffa scholarship deadline is March 1
As a reminder, the deadline for the 2021 James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund (JRHMSF) Academic and Vocational/ Training Program scholarship applications is March 1.
BLET members ratify new contract with Pan Am Railways
Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with Pan Am Railways.
Teamsters and 18 other unions endorse two for NMB
On January 26, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, representing Rail and Airline Teamsters, and 18 other unions sent a letter to President Joe Biden and Democratic U.S. Senate leaders Chuck Schumer and Patty Murray reminding the president that appointing new members to the National Mediation Board (NMB) should be prioritized. The unions endorsed the appointment of Deirdre Hamilton and the reappointment of Linda Puchala to the board.
Retired Amtrak Vice General Chairman “Mac” McDowell, 1951-2021
The BLET National Division sends deepest condolences to the family and friends of Brother Craig A. “Mac” McDowell, who lost his battle with cancer on January 21, 2021. Brother McDowell faithfully served the BLET membership for many years as Vice General Chairman of the Amtrak General Committee of Adjustment. He was 69 years old.
